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Sisters Natalie and Bernadette tell of the beginnings of Osindisweni Hospital's diversion to Ekukhanyeni AIDS Centre.

Sr Natalie remembers arriving at the Ekukhanyeni clinic in 2006 and noting how busy it was with people arriving even from Verulam by bus.

But, after the clinic was attacked for the third time by a gang in 2008, it was decided to close it for the safety of the patients and staff, much to the disappointment of the patients.

"Some renovations were done to the building, and after extensive negotiations involving the Department of Health, Osindisweni Hospital and the Oakford Congregation, a stepdown facility of Osindisweni Hospital could begin.  Permission was received for 12 beds, and in April 2009, the first patient arrived.

The challenges were endless around accessing the funding from the Department of Health. Sr Odila was often heard saying: “The money has not come yet.” But slowly it regulated itself. Benefactors in Germany and locally have been most generous over the years, helping the Sisters to accomplish the mission of caring for the sick. Osindisweni Hospital staff were always very supportive, and grateful to be able to transfer patients who could no longer be served in hospital.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society has been very generous to us in providing us “Future Life” food supplements over many years. The Society organised weekly food donations from Woolworths, a great help in preparing balanced meals for the patients. Every week our neighbour donates a tray of fresh bananas“, said Sr Natalie.

„I was working in Preston, England, caring for elderly Jesuits when, early in 2008, the situation began to change and I felt God telling me “to move on”.

I handed in my notice not knowing what I was going to do, when one evening the thought came to me that “I would work with the poor in Africa”. So, I landed in South Africa on 29th October 2008 to work in the Ekukhanyeni AIDS Centre.

When speaking to Sr. Natalie, I marvelled at how God works. When the clinic re-opened on 1st April 2009 as a step down facility to Osindisweni Hospital, all the staff who had been laid off the previous year were called back.

Sr. Bernadette Zulu was a huge support as she led us in a prayer session where we committed ourselves to this new ministry. It was a huge challenge for me getting to know the Zulu people and language, but it was life giving and I soon felt at home.

Benefactors came from Germany providing us with some extras to benefit the patients. It was fulfilling to see some patients recover and get back to living a normal life.

Sr. Ignatia succeeded in re-uniting some patients with their loved ones.  Others sadly did not make it. However, we could at least give them the care they so desperately needed in their last days“, said Sr Bernadette Hurley

Text Sr Natalie und Sr Bernadette